Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Cedar Key Florida has always been the place to visit and
enjoy all the natural wonders. When our families visited Cedar Key my cousins
and I thought we were in “Sunshine Heaven.”

There was swimming, picnicking, boating,
searching for shells, (I had a sand dollar from there for 25 years and many
shells) eating seafood, Island hopping (with beautiful sand and salty water all
around). We found driftwood on an Island many years ago and gave it to a local
man who made things from wood. At twelve (12) years old we felt special about
giving the wood to the artist so he could make something beautiful.

I remember the waves to the Island that day were choppy, but
that did not bother us, as we held tight until we made to our dream destination.
My cousins and I went there without our parents’ permission. They thought we
were at the park swimming, but there we were flying across the waves in a boat
that we knew nothing about. And, we made it back to shore without getting into
trouble.

First Pirates's Fest September 2013

Those were wonderful days, and when I feel the need to spoil
myself---I go back there to visit even for one day. I loved the boardwalk and
visiting the stores and especially eating seafood. I’ve attended many parties in
Cedar Key of my friends who always chose my favorite place to visit.

In September last year Cedar Key had their first Pirate’s
Fest, and I am so sorry I missed it. However, a very nice person filmed it so I
can share with you.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

The Florida Keyes Commercial Fisherman Association 9th
Annual---January 18th and 19th is an event you will not
want to miss next year in 2015. The ambiance of Florida will take you to
another place in time---when this enjoyable life was the norm of our ancestors
who first lived here. When the beauty of the salty waters beaconed to the inhabitants
to take a dip in the cool morning liquid paradise, then lie in the sun to warm body
and soul before a day of working by or in the sea began. What a life---I am happy
I live in Florida.

Another one is Marathon Seafood Festival March 8th
& 9th in Florida. People come from all corners of our nation to
enjoy the seafood provided by Commercial Fisherman. This group works hard with
their families to have a great event to be enjoyed all everyone.

Marathon Florida Seafood Festival

Now we will visit the Seafood Festival in Everglades,
Florida with Bobby Brown in February 7, 8, and 9th. Look at all the
delicious seafood and fun activities with the music to sooth any wild beast---that
may be lurking around in the woods or waters of the glades.

Monday, January 20, 2014

The streets
of the Cedar Key Island is inundated with fast running water as the storm surges pushes the
salty sea of the Gulf of Mexico into the street. Salty water ran through the streets like a liquid snake being guided by the strong winds of the storm as it continues along it path to cover the dry streets.

On the dock a Pelican is holding on
to the railing for dear life as overhead the dark sky seems to watch as the
water below flings sea grass on the dock; from the bottom of the Gulf.

All the businesses along the dockside
are being pounding underneath the wooden structures that hold them up. It is a
scary place as no one knows what will or can happen next.

Strong waves splashed over the paved
roads flooding homes on the opposite side of the street. These
residents were evacuated long before the storm hit land.

Tropical Storm Andrea proved damaging to Cedar Key;
however, when a hurricane hits then it is really destructive---and sometimes
stops residents from returning to their homes---for days after the hurricane is over.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Years ago
when I visited the Bahamas I was very young, but I remembered a lot about the
beauty of it and recorded my favorites, as I always carried my little journal
with me. I remember the Playboy Club and all the Bunnies in their tiny
outfits with bunny tails on back.

I remember one man asked me if I lived in the
Bahamas and if I wanted to be a Bunny. Well, that was so laughable---My Mother
and Father would drum me out of the family if I did. And I remembered a can coke-a-cola cost $5.00 which I shared with a friend, because being a fugal person I could
not get over the cost. I suppose anyone entering the Playboy Club had a lot of money,
but not us six girls from the states.

When we
landed at Freeport our baggage was checked by a dog that sniffed our luggage.
This was very strange to me, but one of my friends said they were sniffing for
drugs and I thought of my Dramamine in my luggage and expressed my concerns.
However, it was illegal drugs they were searching everyone’s luggage. It was
scary but exciting.

That night
we went to a Casino that was so large with people gambling at roped off tables
and a Bahamian employee showed us where we could gamble with our cup of
quarters. All the girls delighted in spending their quarters, but being the
fugal me; it pained me to lose even one-quarter. One of the girls ordered
drinks for us and the girls told me to loosen up and spend my cup of quarters
and then we would to eat some Seafood.

The next day
we visited the ‘Straw Market’ where the women sold such beautiful things made
from straw. I got my mother a straw basket which she loved. It was so unusual
with tiny shells interwoven in the straw. I have never seen another one like
it.

I do not
remember eating anything but seafood and I just wanted to stay in the Bahamas
it was so beautiful, but as working girls during the summer; we had to return home to our families. It was such a wonderful trip for a short weekend.
We planned to return for a week, but it never happened.

I had to
declare my straw basket, a small seashell, and a wooden hand-drum ( I don’t know
what you would call it) for my Daddy and Salt-Water Taffy for Mama.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

This
beautiful aquarium is located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and is hundreds of miles from the
ocean---but still has the ambiance of the deep blue sea with the added beauty
of mountains all around. A lovely vacation paradise to visit with one’s family
and so much to do here this vacation will be long remembered.

They
offer tours of the Tropical Rain Forest; they have the Shark Lagoon, Gallery of
the Seas, Penguin Playhouse, Coral Reef, and Touch a Ray Bay (children love
this one),Ocean Realm, Stingray Bay, Discovery Center---where one can hold a
horseshoe crab.And you can even take a look at the Control Center that operates
the aquarium.

What
a great vacation this would be to visit for a week at least. They are open 365
days a years---the hours vary for certain months and holidays---this is their website:www.ripleyaquarium.com/gatlinburg

Friday, May 17, 2013

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is 29 years old and is located on
Cannery Row of the Pacific Ocean Coastline in Monterey Bay, California. It was
built in 1984 on the location of an old cannery business. It welcomes over 1.8
million visitors annually. It is a popular aquarium known all over the world.
It is unique because of it location, plants and animals.

It has 623 species and benefits from an extreme flow of
fresh sea water pumped in nonstop from Monterey Bay. And it displays a huge
tank as the showpiece of the Ocean’s Edge Wing---it is 33 feet high and holds 333,000
US gallon of sea water. This is for viewing California coastal marine life
which keeps one captivated for a long time.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium was the primary aquarium to grow
live California Giant Kelp. All visitors can view the inhabitants of the kelp
forest on different levels of the aquarium as they tour the amazing sights.

The Open Sea galleries features world renowned largest
single-paned windows---and is one of few aquariums that is home to Ocean
Sunfish in captivity.Exhibits of sea
life include Jellyfish, stingrays, sea otters and other natural marine species
which are above and below the waterline.

Its uniquenessnever seems to stop---as it exhibits both Bluefin
and yellow fin tuna. A Kreisel tank is used to display the jellyfish—I love to
watch these---they are so beautiful and graceful.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Deering Seafood Festival Celebrated their 9th
annual Festival on the Bay at the Deering Estates in Palmetto Bay.

This was
carefree and a fun place to be on Mach 24, 2013 on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m.

The proceeds
benefit the historic estate for the Deering Estate Foundation to use for the preservation.

Visitors to
the festival will enjoy Florida’s best seafood and fish will be prepared by the
chefs of the local restaurants. There will be cooking demos by Palmetto Bay
Chefs for the adults and live entertainment during the day by the bands Red
Code and Caribbean Crew on the main stage. The colorful Junkanoo musical parade
is very popular with all visitors as they playfully dance through the visitors.

Pontoon boat
rides were available aboard the Pelican Skipper. It was a great fun for all who
cruised on Biscayne Bay to Chicken Key. And always one of my favorites is the Artists
Village features paintings, photography, crafts and jewelry by local artists---their
crafts were breathtaking.

Another great
event was the tours of the historic homes. What a wonderful time was had by all.
And I want to mark my calendar for next year to call and get the details for a
family fun day.